Above-ground modular swimming pool enclosures

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed an above-ground modular swimming pool of the type employing a wall supported by inner and outer vertical posts secured to radially, extending horizontal supporting base members. The pool includes prefabricated deck sections, each of which are formed from a plurality of interlocking slats and are prefabricated at the factory to a desired length and then secured to the inner and outer vertical posts by means of a splicing brace and post-clip assemblies. The outer vertical posts, being longer than the inner posts, also support prefabricated fence assemblies, including solid privacy panels and fence support channels, by means of clip sections which are secured to the fence channels and the vertical posts by press or friction fits.

fin 1m 5 M1 n A um mm m t n e t a P S e t a t. SH. d mm Ola k m B3,789,435 2/1974 Heisner.............................. 3,815,162 6/1974Ha11.........

[ ABOVE-GROUND MODULAR SWIMMING POOLENCLOSURES [75] Inventors: Finley M.Bukaitz, Clifton, N.J.; Primary Examiner' Robert L Smith George Neuser!Sprmg Valley Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Arthur L. Plevy .m w S r m U d 0 md n U T m M m 8 mm 5% H 3 0 e S 1 C .m d .n e m 7 ming pool of the typeemploying a wall supported by inner and outer vertical posts secured toradially, extending horizontal supporting base members. The poolincludes'prefabricated deck sections, each of which are formed from aplurality of interlocking slats and are prefabricated at the factory toa desired length and 1 nn 4 u m mmH "n mmh .r Ha "N 1 rm l.

WM .m UIF 12 2 00 555 1.1.1..

then secured to the inner and outer vertical posts by means of asplicing brace and post-clip assemblies. The outer vertical posts, beinglonger than the inner [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS posts,also support prefabricated fence assemblies, in-

cluding solid privacy panels and fence support channels, by means ofclip sections which are secured to the fence channels and the verticalposts by press or friction fits.

Hosmer Katzman................ 10 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures 3,518,7047/1970 3,555,575 1/1971 Schwarz et a1......... 3,574,870 4/1971Orelind............................. 3,638,245 2/1972 PATENIEBAPR I51975 snzimnfq Fig. 6A.

7C Fig. 7A.

HUM

ABOVE-GROUND MODULAR SWIMMING POOL ENCLOSURES BACKGROUND OF INVENTIONThe prior art is replete with a plurality of patents relating toabove-ground swimming pool enclosures. Generally such references relateto a bathing or swimming facility or area having a tank or pool, thewalls of which are constructed in situ from a plurality of prefabricatedsections, pieces or panels. As evidenced by such prior art a typicalpool enclosure provides a tank or pool supporting frame which frame isabove-ground for in situ installation. The frame may include a deck andan access ladder and a walk around so that the user can gain access tothe bathing area. Most enclosures include a fence to prevent a user fromfalling from the above-ground enclosure while further providing privacy.The fence may be integrally formed with the frame or be supported by orattached thereto due to the prefabricated nature of the enclosure.

The prior art was and is cognizant of the fact that in lieu of screws orbolts and accomodating braces, one could use clips and/or clamps tofacilitate assembly, as well as panels or portions which interlock. Suchprior art devices generally differ by the clips or panels utilized. Forexample, US. Pat. No. 3,225,362 entitled SECTIONAL ABOVE GROUND SWIMMINGPOOL CONSTRUCTION issued on Dec. 28, 1965 shows a round or oval poolassembly using clips to interconnect the top and bottom frame membersand such clips being used as snap locks. Others as US. Pat. Nos.3,335,430, 3,447,168, US. Pat. No. 3,534,414, US, Pat. No. 3,555,575shows additional prefabricated structures including deck portions andusing channel frames and angle bars, ribs and gussets to support andease the assembly of such structures.

In any event there is a need for a more reliable and economicalstructure to enable easy assembly at a relatively modest cost. There isa further need to provide as strong an enclosure and as economically aspossible.

Since such pools are generally assembled and are utilized outdoors it isimportant that strength be afforded to prevent collapse of the structureand to further prevent noise from the structure when the same is con--structed or being utilized.

The presence of noise as will be defined is very disturbing to both theuser and persons in the vicinity of the enclosure. Noise as utilizedherein is caused by the vibration, rubbing or movement of the metal orhard plastic parts of the structure during use or due to wind forces.Such noise is attendant with most of the prior art structures, as theyare mass-produced loosely fit assembly and are prone to vibration and soon both during actual use and due to wind or other natural forces whennot in use. A major factor in regard to noise is the fence assembly,which often-times, is not rigidly secured to the frame and is free tovibrate or move. The walk around or deck is also prone to producingnoise due to the activity of the user and so on.

It is therefore an object of the present inventor to provide aneconomical and strong pool enclosure employing interlocking panel andframe assemblies including a rigid fence assembly. The enclosureprovided being strong and reliable while eliminating a great deal ofattendant noise due to the interconnected of said assemblies and theapparatus employed.

LII

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION A modular pool structure for above-groundinstallation comprises a peripheral base track member having a wallreceiving channel therealong, an endless wall having a bottom edgeseated in said receiving channel, a plurality of base channel memberssecured to said base track and extending radially therefrom atpredetermined intervals, each base channel member having an innervertical post secured thereto at said end closest to said base track andan outer vertical post of a greater length than said inner post securedthereto at said end further removed from said base track a plurality ofdeck sections coupled between a different one of said inner and outerposts at a position substantially above said base track to form aperipheral walkway about said enclosure, and a plurality of fencesections each including at least one privacy panel fabricated from asheet of material, each one of said sections coupled between a differentpair of said outer vertical posts and extending relatively perpendicularto and above said walkway to provide a vibration-free fence assembly forsaid pool structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of amodular pool assembly according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a partial assembly perspective view of a horizontalsupporting member and a vertical inner and outer post assembly.

FIG. 3 shows an assembly view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 with a poolwall retaining member.

FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view through line 4-4 of FIG. 3 to depictthe clip assemblies shown therein.

FIG. 5 is a perspective plan view of a deck assembly according to theinvention.

FIG. 6A & 6B are a front plan view, a cross sectional view of the deckassembly.

FIG. 7A is a front view of a privacy fence assembly.

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the fence assembly taken throughline 7B-7B of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is a cross sectional view of the fence assembly taken throughline 7C7C of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of a fence assembly with top andbottom locking clips.

FIG. 9A & B is a side and front of a top locking clip.

FIG. 10A & B is a side and front view of a bottom locking clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of anabove-ground swimming pool enclosure 10. The swimming pool enclosure 10typically contains an outside wall 11, which in this case is a singlesheet of a corrugated metal of a suitable diameter. The frame comprisesa series of vertical ribs 12 which are secured to the frame and deckassembly sections, to be described. The vertical ribs 12 are coupled andjoined to a plurality of horizontal ribs on base support members 14,which are coupled to a second plurality of vertical outer ribs or posts16. The

posts 16 are secured to both the deck brackets 17 and are duallyutilized, to support the fence sections 18. The fence consists of aplurality of sections 18 which interconnect to the posts 16 via auniqueclip arrangement. The pool 10 includes a walk around deck portioncomprised of a plurality of interconnecting sections as 19 which arepreformed of interlocking slat assemblies.

The pool enclosure includes a sunning deck extension, which consists ofa plurality of interlocking deck panels as which, as will be describedare joined to the aforementioned posts by means of interconnecting clipsections. The sunning deck includes a swivable staircase 22 to provideaccess to the enclosure and is also enclosed by a series of fence orprivacy panel sections as 18 above described.

As one can see while the pool appears relatively circular it is in facta polygon wherein each of the deck sections, as 19, employ a pluralityof slats interlocked between two braces and terminated in a trapezoidalslat to afford the curvature required.

Shown in FIG. 2 is a section of a horizontal base support member 23 (asmember 14 of FIG. 1). The base member 23 comprises a U-shaped channelfabricated from a strong structural material such as steel. The U-shaped channel 23 is dimensioned to accommodate a vertical outer post 24(16 of FIG. 1) and a inner vertical post 25 (12 of FIG. 1). Each post 24and 25 has two apertures at the base end therein as 27, for insertionand securing to the base member 23 by means of a nut and bolt as 28 and29 via the accommodating apertures 30 in the base member 23.

The inside edge of the U-shaped base member 23 terminates in a flatflange section 31 forming a T end with the base channel member 23. Theflange has two apertures 32 on each arm of the T. A base track member 33is fastened by means of a bolt assembly to the flange to provide acontinuous base track assembly about the inside of the pool foraccommodating the outside pool wall. As can be seen the base trackmember 33 as secured provides a continuous channel formed by the channelapertures 34 to permit insertion therein of the outside pool wall (as 11of FIG. 1). The horizontal base support members 23 extend radiallyoutwards from the base track with the inner vertical post 25 closest tothe pool wall and the outer vertical post 24 furthest therefrom.

The base track members as 33 are secured to the T- shaped flange 31 ofmember 23 by means of the accommodating apertures 35 therein located bysuitable nut and bolt assemblies or fasteners as 37 and 38. When sosecured they are relatively continguous and form the above mentionedchannel due to the apertures or center channels 34 in the base trackmember 33.

It is noted that in the above description similar functioning parts weregiven the same reference numeral for the sake of clarity of explanationand ease of description. To this end similar reference numerals will beretained to describe other similar parts as further shown in thefollowing figures.

FIG. 3 shows the vertical outer post 24 secured to the outer edge of theU-shaped horizontal member 23 and the inner vertical post 25 alsosecured as described. The base track sections 33 are shown bolted to theT flanged end 31 of member 23 as described.

The vertical posts 24 and 25 extend upwardly to the desired deckposition or height and at that position there are apertures to secure toeach' post 24 and 25 a deck clip assembly. The deck clip assembly isdesignated as 40 for the outer post 24 and 41 for the inner post 25.

Referring to FIG. 4 there is shown a top view taken through line 44 ofFIG. 3 to more clearly show the nature of the deck 'clip' assemblies as40 and 41. The deck clip 40 or 41 has a back U-shaped section 44including 2 holes. The U-shaped section fits about the front and sideedges of post 24 and is secured thereto by means of a nut and boltassembly 43 via accommodating apertures in the posts 24 and 25. Thefront end 45 (shown clearly in FIG. 3) of the deck clip 40 or 41 has a Vlike cross section and is integrally formed with or welded to portion 44of the clip assembly 40. The V- shaped portion of the clip has at leasttwo apertures 46 located thereon to coact with corresponding aperturesin a deck mounting brace 47, to be described, and a deck splicer plate48 for strength and rigidity. The entire assembly is secured together asshown by means of nuts and bolts or other suitable fasteners.

Referring to FIG. 5 there is shown a perspective assembly view of atypical deck section as 19 or 20 of FIG. 1 including a front deckmounting brace or bracket as 47 of FIG. 4 and a back bracket 47'.

The pool 10, as indicated, comprises a plurality of deck sections 19,each of which comprises a series of rectangular portions as 51interlocked to each other and the brackets 47' and 47 by means ofcoacting flanges. Each section as 19 includes one trapezoidal portion 50to obtain the desired overall curvature for the pool assembly as shownin FIG. 1, while affording great strength and rigidity due to theinterconnection of sections. In actual practice the deck mounting brace47 secured to the inner deck post 25 is designated as a coping deckchannel or brace 47 while the outer brace 47' is designated as a regulardeck channel. Referring to FIG. 6B these differences are more clearlyindicated.

FIG. 6A shows a top view of an assembled deck section (as 19 of FIG. 1).

A plurality of rectangular slats 51 are interlocked and terminated atboth ends with a trapezoidal slat 50. The braces 47 and 47' have slataccommodating channels to secure the interlocking slats within thebraces 47 and 47 In FIG. 6B the central portion shows a cross-sectionalview ofa typical deck slat as 51. The deck slats 51 have inverted Uconfigurations with the sides being perpendicular to the base of the U.Each slat 51 has a flange 56 on one side thereof which flange cooperatesand coacts with, and is inserted into a channel 55 on the other side ofthe succeeding slat members 51. The trapezoidal section 50 may be ofsimilar cross-section. Hence the slats 51 are prefabricated andinterlocked as shown. The ends are inserted into the slat accommodatingapertures of the deck channel 47 and the coping channel 47 as seen inFIG. 63 at the right and left thereof. The sections 47 and 47 areselected at predetermined lengths (FIG. 6A). The slats are interlockedtherein by means of the flanges and channels 56 and 57 and the assemblyis rigidly secured together by means of four or more metal screws ineach corner (FIGQ6A and FIG. 6B).

Thus a sectionalized deck portion as 19 of FIG. 1 is prefabricatedutilizing interlocking slat sections and a minimum of retaining elementsto assure a tight and accurate assembly practically vibration free.

The channel lengths 47 and 47' are selected so that the inner channel orcoping channel 47 is selected at a length dictated by the separationbetween two inner vertical posts; while the outer channel or deckchannel 47' is selected of a length according to the separation betweentwo outer vertical posts. The deck assembly (FIG. 6A) has an overalltrapezoidal appearance and one can ascertain that the interconnection atthe angled ends (see FIG. 1) follows and forms the desired poolcurvature. It is also apparent that by eliminating the trapezoidal endsections one has a rectangular deck section using equal lengthedchannels 47 and 47' to form rectangular deck sections if desired.

Referring to FIG. 6B there is a liner channel 66 associated with thecoping deck brace or channel 47. The liner 68 for the inside of the poolis fabricated from a strong and relatively thick vinyl plastic and has athickened edge portion 69 for pressure insertion into channel 66. Thisend 69 is sometimes referred to as a liner bead.

Referring briefly to FIG. 5, it should be clear on how the parts thereincooperate and are secured together. Hence one takes each prefabricateddeck assembly together with the integral coupling channels 47 and 47 andfastens them to the deck clips 40 and 41 secured to the vertical posts24 and 25 by means of the holes in the channels 47 and 47 and the clips40 and 41. The bracket 48 is a splice assembly and is used to insurerigidity and provide strength to the final assembly.

As is seen from FIG. 1, the outer vertical posts 16 are longer than theinner vertical posts 12. The outer vertical posts 16 are utilized tocouple the fence assembly sections 18 thereto. Referring to FIG. 7Athere is shown a typical fence panel section 70. Each fence panel as 70corresponds to a deck portion as 19 of FIG. 1, and hence the fenceassembly unit 70 is prefabricated at the factory as are the deck panels19 and and are shipped as shown in FIG. 7A.

Each section comprises a top fence channel member 72, a bottom fencechannel member 73, two or more integral privacy panels 71, each of whichare associated with right and left panel retainer channel members 74 and75.

The fence as indicated must be strong, secure and afford privacy. Thepanels should not rattle due to pool use or wind and so on, whichrattling would provide excess additional noise due to the vibration ofthe metal structures.

Each panel 71 is formed from a stock blank sheet of aluminum and arebent to provide a corrugated surface effect as shown in thecross-sectional view of FIG. 7B taken through line 7-B of FIG. 7A. Theedges are also bent at an acute angle 76 (about 45). The bent ends areinserted into channels 74 and 75, which are C shaped metallic units. Dueto the flexible nature of the metal material comprising panel 71 theends are secured within the channels 74 and 75 by the expansive force ofthe aluminum. Hence C channels 74 and 75 firmly retain the edges of theprivacy panel 71 as shown.

FIG. 7C shows a cross-section taken through line 7C--7C of FIG. 7A. Theupper fence channel member 72 and the bottom fence channel member 73both have T-shaped accommodating channels. The assembled privacy panel(FIG. 7A) is then inserted with the side channels 74 and 75 into theslots in channels 72 and 73 as shown. Thus the entire panel is rigidlysecured on all four sides by friction, press fits and since the panel 71is entirely framed it cannot vibrate or move to any deree. g Referringto FIG. 8 there is shown the prefabricated privacy panel assembly 70 ina perspective view.

The top and bottom fence T-shaped channels 72 and 73 have continuouscentral channels as indicated. A

top clip member is forced into the aperture of the top channel 72 asshown. The two flanged portions 81 and 82 are forced into the channel(FIG. 9A and 9B) and are compressed and retained tightly. The top clip80 has a front flanged end 84 which has a channel for insertion betweenthe side wall of a vertical pool post as 80 of FIG. 8. The bottomchannel 73 has inserted therein a l-I-shape'd member 85. Member 85 alsohas two flanges 86 and 87 extending in a plane relatively transverse tothe plane containing the flanges 81 and 82. These flanges 86 and 87 asinserted into the open end of channel 73 are also secured therein due tothe compressive forces. The bottom fence clip 85 has two otheraccommodating flanges 88 and 89 extending from a front surface (FIG. 10Aand B) and used to coact with the outer periphery of the vertical post80, to surround the two sides and back portion of the post as shownclearer (clashed) in FIG. 10A.

The clips 81 and 85 serve to further assure that the vertical posts aredrawn together to thus secure the entire structure as assembled. Thefits depicted are all press fits and allow for all machining tolerancesin regard to the aforementioned pool parity. Thus as shown in FIG. 1 theentire fence assembly as positioned further by the vertical posts andaccommodating clip sections as 81 and 85 forms a reliable unitarystructure with a minimum of typical fasteners as nuts and bolts.

While one can see that the principles involving the fence assembly canbe modified, as the clips 81 and 85 have angled flanges to accommodatethe trapezoidal terminal deck sections to thereby enable theconstruction of a relatively circular type pool by forming a polygonalfigure. One can therefore apply the structure shown to form rectangularor square shaped pools or practically any configuration desired byaltering the interlocked deck slat structures as well as the clipassemblies as 81 and 85 of FIG. 9 and 10.

Although several embodiments have been shown, others will become clearerto those skilled in the state of the art upon rendering thisspecification and the claims hereto appended.

We claim:

1. In an above-ground swimming pool of the type including a plurality ofhorizontal base members extending outwardly from and supporting a poolenclosure, a plurality of inner vertical posts each secured to one ofsaid base members closest to said enclosure to support said enclosurethereat and a plurality of outer vertical posts of a length greater thansaid inner vertical posts, the combination therewith of an integral deckand fence assembly comprising,

a. a given number of deck assemblies each comprising a plurality ofinterlocking slats secured within a first channel of a length determinedby the distance between two inner vertical posts, and a second channelof a length determined by the distance between two outer vertical posts,

b. means for securing said deck assemblies about the periphery of saidenclosure and positioned between the respective inner and outer verticalposts to provide a walk-way about said enclosure,

c. a given number of fence assemblies each comprising at least twopanels secured between an upper fence channel and a lower fence channel,and

cl. clip means coupled at each end of said lower and upper channels andadapted to coact with the upper end of said outer vertical post at saidupper fence channel and a lower end of said outer vertical post at saidlower fence channel to clip and secure said given number of fenceassemblies each respectively between two of said outer vertical posts toform a relatively vibration free assembly for said pool enclosure.

2. The pool combination according to claim 1 wherein each of said deckassemblies comprises a plurality of U cross-sectional shaped members,each member having a channel on one arm of said U and a flange on theother arm, for interlocking said members by insertion of the flange of afirst member into the channel of a second succeeding member and so on.

3. The pool combination according to claim 1 wherein said means forsecuring said deck assemblies about the periphery of said enclosureinclude a plurality of clip assemblies, each one secured to oneassociated inner and outer post, said clip assemblies having a U-shapedback portion for insertion about a post and a V-shaped front portion tocoact with the respective portion of said deck assembly.

4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein said arms of saidU-shaped portion of said clip includes collinear apertures for insertiontherethrough of a bolt, said bolt also passing through correspondingapertures in the associated sidewall of said associated vertical post.

5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said upper and lowerfence channels have T crosssections.

6. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said panels arefabricated from a blank metal sheet and have a corrugated type surfacewith two bends at each side forming an acute angle with the main planeof said sheet, and

a. first and second panel side channels each having a C shapedcross-section, said first channel inserted at one side of said panelsecuring said bend within the recess of said channel by a press fit andsaid second panel side channel inserted at said other side of said panelsecuring said other bend within the recess of said channel.

7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein said metal sheet andsaid first and second channels are fabricated from aluminum.

8. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said clip meanscomprises,

a. a top clip member for insertion into said upper fence channel, saidtop clip member having a back portion of a C shaped cross-section forinsertion into said top fence channel and a front portion including aflange assembly for coacting with the top of said vertical outer postand,

b. a bottom clip member for insertion into said lower fence channel,said bottom clip member having a back portion of a C shapedcross-section for insertion into said bottom fence channel and a frontportion also of a C-shaped configuration to coact and surround saidouter post about at least two sides thereof.

9. A modular, above-ground pool structure comprising, a peripheral basetrack member having a wall receiving channel therealong, an endless wallhaving a bottom edge seated in said receiving channel, a plurality ofbase channel members secured to said peripheral base track and extendingradially therefrom at predetermined intervals, each base channels memberhaving an inner vertical post secured thereto at said end closest tosaid base track and an outer vertical post of a greater length than saidinner post secured thereto at said end furthest from said base track, aplurality of deck sections, each one coupled between a different one ofsaid inner and outer vertical posts at a position substantially abovesaid base track to form a peripheral walkway about said enclosure, and aplurality of fence sections each including at least one privacy panelfabricated from a sheet of material each one of said section coupledbetween a different two of said outer vertical posts and extendingrelatively perpendicular to and above said walkway to provide avibration free fence assembly for said pool structure.

10. The modular pool according to claim 9 wherein each of said decksections comprises a plurality of interlocking U-shaped cross-sectionalmembers, each member having a channel on one arm of said U and a flangeon the other arm, whereby a first section flange is received by a secondsections channel to provide a coupling therebetween and at least onetriangular shaped section terminating an end of said deck section.

1. In an above-ground swimming pool of the type including a plurality ofhorizontal base members extending outwardly from and supporting a poolenclosure, a plurality of inner vertical posts each secured to one ofsaid base members closest to said enclosure to support said enclosurethereat and a plurality of outer vertical posts of a length greater thansaid inner vertical posts, the combination therewith of an integral deckand fence assembly comprising, a. a given number of deck assemblies eachcomprising a plurality of interlocking slats secured within a firstchannel of a length determined by the distance between two innervertical posts, and a second channel of a length determined by thedistance between two outer vertical posts, b. means for securing saiddeck assemblies about the periphery of said enclosure and positionedbetween the respective inner and outer vertical posts to provide awalk-way about said enclosure, c. a given number of fence assemblieseach comprising at least two panels secured between an upper fencechannel and a lower fence channel, and d. clip means coupled at each endof said lower and upper channels and adapted to coact with the upper endof said outer vertical post at said upper fence channel and a lower endof said outer vertical post at said lower fence channel to clip andsecure said given number of fence assemblies each respectively betweentwo of said outer vertical posts to form a relatively vibration freeassembly for said pool enclosure.
 2. The pool combination according toclaim 1 wherein each of said deck assemblies comprises a plurality of Ucross-sectional shaped members, each member having a channel on one armof said U and a flange on the other arm, for interlocking said membersby insertion of the flange of a first member into the channel of asecond succeeding member and so on.
 3. The pool combination according toclaim 1 wherein said means for securing said deck assemblies about theperiphery of said enclosure include a plurality of clip assemblies, eachone secured to one associated inner and outer post, said clip assemblieshaving a U-shaped back portion for insertion about a post and a V-shapedfront portion to coact with the respective portion of said deckassembly.
 4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein said arms ofsaid U-shaped portion of said clip includes collinear apertures forinsertion therethrough of a bolt, said bolt also passing throughcorresponding apertures in the associated sidewall of said associatedvertical post.
 5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein saidupper and lower fence channels have T cross-sections.
 6. The combinationaccording to claim 1 wherein said panels are fabricated from a blankmetal sheet and have a corrugated type surface with two bends at eachside forming an acute angle with the main plane of said sheet, and a.first and second panel side channels each having a C shapedcross-section, said first channel inserted at one side of said panelsecuring said bend within the recess of said channel by a press fit andsaid second panel side channel inserted at said other side of said panelsecuring said other bend within the recess of said channel.
 7. Thecombination according to claim 6 wherein said metal sheet and said firstand second channels are fabricated from aluminum.
 8. The combinationaccording to claim 1 wheRein said clip means comprises, a. a top clipmember for insertion into said upper fence channel, said top clip memberhaving a back portion of a C shaped cross-section for insertion intosaid top fence channel and a front portion including a flange assemblyfor coacting with the top of said vertical outer post and, b. a bottomclip member for insertion into said lower fence channel, said bottomclip member having a back portion of a C shaped cross-section forinsertion into said bottom fence channel and a front portion also of aC-shaped configuration to coact and surround said outer post about atleast two sides thereof.
 9. A modular, above-ground pool structurecomprising, a peripheral base track member having a wall receivingchannel therealong, an endless wall having a bottom edge seated in saidreceiving channel, a plurality of base channel members secured to saidperipheral base track and extending radially therefrom at predeterminedintervals, each base channels member having an inner vertical postsecured thereto at said end closest to said base track and an outervertical post of a greater length than said inner post secured theretoat said end furthest from said base track, a plurality of deck sections,each one coupled between a different one of said inner and outervertical posts at a position substantially above said base track to forma peripheral walkway about said enclosure, and a plurality of fencesections each including at least one privacy panel fabricated from asheet of material each one of said section coupled between a differenttwo of said outer vertical posts and extending relatively perpendicularto and above said walkway to provide a vibration free fence assembly forsaid pool structure.
 10. The modular pool according to claim 9 whereineach of said deck sections comprises a plurality of interlockingU-shaped cross-sectional members, each member having a channel on onearm of said U and a flange on the other arm, whereby a first sectionflange is received by a second section''s channel to provide a couplingtherebetween and at least one triangular shaped section terminating anend of said deck section.